Inflatable Travel Sleep Aid

ABSTRACT

The invention is a sleep aid, and more particularly an inflatable sleep aid utilizing a series of c-shaped inflatable bladders joined in series to such that the height of the sleep aid is adjustable and forming a generally c-shaped channel to allow the user to comfortably breath.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/432,604 filed on Dec. 11, 2016, entitled “Inflatable Travel Sleep Aid.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general art of travel sleep aids and to the particular field of inflatable travel pillows. More specifically, the present invention relates to a supportive inflatable travel pillow that has multiple c-shaped chambers connected in series that can be inflated to varying degrees to allow on to sleep in a rearward leaning direction by positioning the partially inflated pillow around one's neck and also to allow one to sleep in a forward leaning position by inflating the device to a greater extent allowing one to position the device on one's tray-table (such as during air or train travel) or on one's lap (such as during automobile travel) and allowing one to lean forward and place one's face onto the device.

The majority of the known comfort devices are designed to support a user's neck and head while the user is leaning back in an upright seated position. Generally, one needs to lean back 35 to 40 degrees or more for a comfortable resting position for rest or sleep. Most travelers travel in a sitting position (e.g., air travel, rail travel, automobile/bus travel, etc.). The present invention is an inflatable multi-cylinder/multi-bladder adjustable pillow which allows travelers to rest by leaning forward supporting their head.

C-shaped pillows, both inflatable and stuffed, that wrap around the sides and back of a user's neck are well known in the art. Such devices wrap around the back and sides of the user's neck allowing the user to sleep in an upright position while seated upright. Such pillows have the disadvantage of that position eventually becoming uncomfortable for the user. Such pillows of limited use can cause discomfort and pain and can result in cramping and/or muscle strain.

An effective solution is necessary to address the issue of limited sleeping position presented by the known C-shaped neck pillows.

The present invention substantially diverges from the prior art and provides device with which a traveler can sleep and/or rest in multiple positions. The device of the present invention can be adjusted to varying heights by the user to accommodate travelers of different size simply by inflating or deflating as needed to improve comfort and reduce discomfort/pain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a travel pillow designed to allow a person traveling in a seated position to lean forward and have their face, head, and upper body supported as they rest and/or sleep. One unique feature of the present invention is that it is designed to provide support from the front rather than the back, e.g., neck. The present invention allows the user to lean forward effortlessly and place the user's head down to rest and/or sleep. The present invention comprises multiple inflatable bladders (2 to 20) that allow the height to adjust to one's preferred resting height. The bladders are joined to each other and can be inflated/deflated individually. In an alternate embodiment, the bladders are joined and comprise internal air passages that allow the bladders to be inflated/deflated in unison. In another alternate embodiment, the sleep aid of the present invention is comprised of bladders that are a substantially unitary structure forming an accordion-type bladder or bellows which can also be inflated/deflated in unison. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the top bladder may be detachable allowing the user to position this top bladder around their neck to support their neck and head and allow the user to alternate their position between the upright seated position and the forward leaning position. This embodiment my be altered such that the bottom bladder is detachable and may be positioned around the user's neck. At the conclusion of travel, the present invention may be deflated and easily stored in a travel pack for transport.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable, inflatable sleep aid that may be placed on a surface in front of the user (e.g., tray table, legs, lap, etc.) and support the user's head at the user's preferred height and comfort level.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, inflatable sleep aid that supports the user's head while the user is leaning forward, but also provides a removable bladder that can be place around the user's neck thereby allowing the user to alternate between a leaning forward position and an upright seated position.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, inflatable sleep aid which is deflatable and easily stored for transportation after use.

Yet another object of the present invention to provide a versatile inflatable, portable sleep aid that can be partially inflated and used around the neck of a traveler allowing the traveler to sleep/rest in an upright seated position by supporting the neck and head of the traveler; or more fully inflated and positioned on the legs/lap of the traveler, the tray-table, or the like to allow the traveler to sleep/rest in a forward leaning position; or may have a detachable C-shaped bladder that can be used around the neck of the traveler with the remaining bladders being positioned upon the legs/lap of the traveler, the tray-table, or the like such that the traveler can comfortably alternate between an upright seated resting position and a forward leaning resting position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sleep aid which allows the traveler to comfortably breath while in the forward leaning position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the sleep aid of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an alternate perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the sleep aid of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the sleep aid of the present invention being used by an individual who is resting in a forward leaning position with his head and face positioned upon the top C-shaped bladder while the bottom C-shaped bladder is resting upon the individual's legs or lap;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sleep aid of the present invention showing the C-shaped bladders with the top C-shaped bladder detached from the others;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an individual resting in an upright seated position with the top C-shaped bladder positioned around his neck to support his head and neck; and

FIGS. 6a and 6b are perspective views of an inflate port by which the bladders are inflated and deflated; FIG. 6a shows the inflate port in the open and extended position, while FIG. 6b shows the inflate port in the closed and recessed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable sleep aid 1, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Although the preferred embodiment of the sleep aid 1 of the present invention is described as having five (5) bladders 2, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the number of bladders 2 of the sleep aid 1 of the present invention may vary. The sleep aid 1 of the present invention will have at least two (2) bladders 2 and may have as many bladders 2 as are needed for a particular purpose.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the sleep aid of the present invention is shown in alternate perspective views. The sleep aid 1 comprises a series of inflatable bladders 2, at least one inflate port 6, a top bladder 3, and a bottom bladder 4. Each of the bladders 2 including the top bladder 3 and the bottom bladder 4 are substantially C-shaped and will be substantially complementary with the others. In a preferred embodiment, each of the C-shaped bladders 2 will be substantially the same in size and shape; however, C-shaped bladders 2 of slightly varying sizes and slightly varying shapes are also contemplated. Each of the bladders 2 including the top bladder 3 and the bottom bladder 4 comprise outer coverings 8.

The bladders 2, the top bladder 3, and the bottom bladder 4 are joined in series, one on top of the other by any means well known in the art. For example, the bladders 2 may be joined by means of an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, or the like. In a preferred embodiment all of the bladders 2 are joined by means of an adhesive with the exception of the top bladder 3 which is joined by means of a hook and loop fastener such that the top bladder 3 is readily detachable from and re-attachable to the other bladders 2. Embodiments are also contemplated wherein all of the bladders 2 are joined by adhesive with the exception of the bottom bladder 4 which is joined by means of a hook and loop fastener such that the bottom bladder 4 is readily detachable from and re-attachable to the other bladders 2.

As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, each of the bladders 2 including the top bladder 3 and bottom bladder 4 comprise an inflate port 6. The inflate ports 6 are means to introduce air into the bladders 2 or, alternatively, to allow air to exit the bladders 2. Any suitable conventional means may be utilized to introduce air into the bladders 2 or alternatively allow air to exit the bladders 2. FIGS. 6a and 6b show an inflate port 6 which may be utilized for such purposes. FIG. 6a shows the air tube 9 in an extended position and the closure plug 10 open and FIG. 6b shows the air tube 9 recessed into the bladder 2 and the closure plug 10 sealing the air tube 9.

Referring to FIG. 3, the inflate ports 6 are shown substantially aligned along the left side of the sleep aid 1. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inflate ports 6 will be positioned on alternating sides of each successive bladder thereby allowing the sleep aid to lay flatter when deflated.

The bladders 2 may be constructed of any suitable material that allows the bladders 2 to be inflated and deflated and may be formed by heat bonding or ultrasonic bonding, for example. Many polymeric materials may be suitable. Flocked polyvinyl chloride is one suitable material. The bladders 2 could be formed of a laminated fabric material such as used in many air mattresses, if desired. Also, the exposed portion of the bladders 2 could be covered with cushioning material of any suitable type. In a preferred embodiment, the top bladder 3 will be covered with a cushioning or covering material to provide a comfortable surface upon which the user's face may be placed. The cushioning or covering material of the top bladder 3 may be made of any comfortable material contemplated by one skilled in the art of pillows, including cotton, velvet or any other material suitable for providing tactile comfort and a durable covering for the top bladder 3.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the top bladder 3 is detachably joined to the other bladders 2 by means of a hook and loop fastener 5. One half of the hook and loop fastener is seen in FIG. 4 secured to the top visible portion of the bladders 2 joined in series while the other half of the hook and loop fastener (not shown) is positioned underneath the top bladder 3. This embodiment allows the user to remove the top bladder 3 and position the top bladder 3 around the user's neck to support the user's neck and head while resting/sleeping in a seated upright position as shown in FIG. 5; and allows the user to lean forward onto the bladders 2 joined in series positioned on the user's legs/lap or positioned on the user's tray-table 7, or the like, so that the user can alternate between resting/sleeping in a seated upright position (as shown in FIG. 5) and resting/sleeping in a forward leaning position (as shown in FIG. 3).

The above described embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable sleep aid for supporting the head and upper body of a seated individual, said portable sleep aid comprising: a plurality of bladders, each of said bladders being substantially C-shaped and comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, an outer surface, and an inflate port joined to said outer surface, each of said bladders being substantially complementary in size and shape, and each of said bladders being inflatable through said inflate port; a top bladder and a bottom bladder, said top bladder and said bottom bladder being substantially C-shaped and substantially complementary in size and shape with said bladders; and said bladders being joined in series, one on top of the other, between said top bladder and said bottom bladder and being joined to said top bladder and said bottom bladder.
 2. The portable sleep aid of claim 1 wherein said bladders, said top bladder, and said bottom bladder are joined by an adhesive.
 3. The portable sleep aid of claim 1 wherein said bladders and said bottom bladder are joined by an adhesive and said top bladder is joined by a hook and loop type fastening material.
 4. The portable sleep aid of claim 1 wherein said bladders and said top bladder are joined by an adhesive and said bottom bladder is joined by a hook and loop type fastening material.
 5. The portable sleep aid of claim 1 wherein each of said bladders, said top bladder, and said bottom bladder are joined by a hook and loop type fastening material.
 6. A portable sleep aid for supporting the head and upper body of a seated individual, said portable sleep aid comprising: a plurality of C-shaped bladders, each of said of C-shaped bladders comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and an outer surface, each of said C-shaped bladders being substantially complementary in size and shape, being inflatable, and having internal passages which allow air to travel among and between each of said C-shaped bladders; said C-shaped bladders being joined in series, one on top of the other, with one C-shaped bladder being a top C-shaped bladder, and one C-shaped bladder being a bottom C-shaped bladder, said C-shaped bladders joined in series, one on top of the other, between said top C-shaped bladder and said bottom C-shaped bladder; and an inflate port joined to said outer surface of one of said C-shaped bladders.
 7. A portable sleep aid for supporting the head and upper body of a seated individual, said portable sleep aid comprising: an accordion-type bladder, said accordion-type bladder being unitary and substantially C-shaped; said accordion-type bladder having an outer surface and having an inflate port joined to said outer surface of said bladder. 